The Durham Irish Association of Canada

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UPCOMING EVENTS IN MAY AND JUNE, 2018

So there are some exciting events happening as you will see below and we sure need them after the horrid weekend that we just had with the ice storm.

Something now that needs advance notice is that from June 21 - 24 the Sudbury Irish Arts Association are planning a tour to Grosse Isle, the landing site of over 500,000 Irish immigrants. Visit the historic site and buildings, The Plains of Abraham and Old Quebec City. The bus will come by Toronto for those interested in joining them. For more information please contact Bridgit Ripley at 705-855-3564 or email beeripley@bell.net

289-260-8246. or KirklandLynchStudio.com. Shifting in shapes of past to present of Celtic to Native, of animal to human, of myth to story. Never truly settling on the mantle Gallery hours Wed. – Sun 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Tuesday May 1 - Set Dancing Class at the Corktown Irish Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton for more information contact Ann Gorman-McKinney (905) 549-9867 or Siobhan or email hamiltonirisharts@gmail.com

The Silver Branch film, is a eulogy to a Way of Life – call it the very last glimpse of Ireland's ancient culture – one which still exists in a very small community of rural Ireland.We had our First Public Screening in Ireland (outside of festivals) last weekend in Glor. It was the largest ever audience to be held in Glor – with at least 570 people getting in – and more turned away.The general thread from all the reviews:“I've rarely heard such extremes of emotion from an audience.... An extraordinary documentary, touching heart and spirit. Absolutely stunning film with beautiful cinematography, not to mention the epic true story it tells. Everyone needs to see this film....”Tue, May 1 5:30 PM TIFF Bell Lightbox 4Thu, May 3 1:00 PM TIFF Bell Lightbox 2Sun, May 6 5:30 PM Scotiabank Theatre, Cinema 7Katrina. Trailer https://vimeo.com/260201919 Katrina Costello, Director: The Silver Branch, Sea Fever Productions. 353 86 827 8172

Starting on TUESDAY, MAY 1st Colleen Jenish will be running a Spring session of Adult Recreational Canadian stepdance classes at Beach Dance School! Classes will start, 2018, and will run for 8 consecutive weeks. Classes from 2:00-3:00pm, and a class from 7:30-8:30pm, both on Tuesdays (provided there is enough registration). No experience is required, you from scratch and you can have a full dance routine by the end of the classes! You will need a set of tap shoes or Irish dancing hard-sole shoes. If you would like to pre-register, it will be $120 for the 8 weeks of lessons, or you can do drop-in classes for $18 each time. Please call me at (289) 355-1130 or email cjenish8@gmail.comif you would like more information or are all set to sign up!!

May 2 from 7:00 p,m. Helena Byrne an Irish Story teller will be at the Buffalo Irish Centre. To purchase your seats send a check made out to Martin Wynne CCE for $12 per person $10 for CCE members ($5 kids under 16) and mail to Bridget English 54 Midway Ave Buffalo 14215

or purchase at the door...to reserve, return this email

Helena is an accomplished vocalist, storyteller, actress and songwriter. For several years, she has combined her love of Irish folklore and passion for the performing arts, performing as a seanchaí (storyteller) and singer for groups of all ages across Ireland. Akin to the travelling seanchaí of times past, Helena also performs regularly across the Atlantic, most recently performing for the Irish Ambassador to the U.S. in Washington D.C. Helena interweaves tales of Irish folklore and history, with traditional Irish songs and wonderful insights into an Ireland of days gone by.

Like many Irish people I grew up around Celtic music and stories, so it felt like a natural progression as a performer to sing these songs. I also feel that many of the old Irish folk stories, that played such an integral role in Irish people's daily lives in times past, are in danger of being forgotten. So I feel driven to keep these stories alive, to continue to gather and record them and bring them to new audiences.

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS TOUR 'The Pursuit of Happiness' delves into the music, superstitions & folklore of Ireland, alongside incredible stories of Irish emigration through the ages; the Great Famine, travelling on the Titanic, the Irish in the Wild West, John F. Kennedy's visit to Ireland and so much more.

Join us on this journey through the Irish experience of emigration to the New World; the excitement, the tragedy, the hopes & aspirations for a better life.

Máire Ní Chathasaigh (pronounced Moira Nee Ha-ha-sig) is "the doyenne of Irish harp players" (The Scotsman) and one of Ireland’s most important and influential traditional musicians, described by the late Derek Bell as “the most interesting and original player of the Irish harp today." Her duo partner is Chris Newman described as “one of the UK’s most staggering and influential acoustic guitarists" (fROOTS).

Máire (Irish harp)& Chris (acoustic guitar) have performed at most of the major folk and Celtic festivals in Europe, the USA and Australasia; at countless arts festivals; and have given almost two thousand concerts in venues large and small. Their performances - described by The Irish Times as “music of fire and brilliance from the high-wire act in traditional music" - are rooted but eclectic, emotional but adventurous: a breathtaking blend of traditional Irish music, hot jazz, bluegrass and baroque, coupled with striking new compositions and Chris’s delightfully subversive wit. As one reviewer put it, "Fine work by this celebrated duo: Newman led us on death-defying sprints while Máire confirmed her status as one of the world's greatest harpists."

Don't be disappointed by leaving your registrations to the last minute to then find out that the very workshops you wanted to participate in are full, or that you applied too late.

Registrations for all workshops close on April 5th! Late registration rates are $30/workshop or $120/workshop pass for up to 6 workshops for the person listed on the pass. Late registration closes on April 5th at midnight.

Tickets for the Concert, Community Dinner, Ceili, Art Raffle, and Sunday Lunch are also still available.

May 22nd, 5-9pm: Madden Hall, St. Michael’s College, 81 St. Mary Street, University of Toronto. - FIRST GREAT IRISH FAMINE VOICES ROADSHOW TOURING THE USA AND CANADA

Bringing together Irish emigrants and descendants during the Great Famine of Ireland

The Great Famine Voices Roadshow will be launched in New York on 9th April at the American Irish Historical Society. The Great Famine Voices Roadshow is a series of open house events in the United States and Canada that bring together Irish emigrants, their descendants, and members of their communities to share family memories and stories of coming from Ireland to North America, especially during the period of the Great Hunger and afterwards.

“We are excited about meeting people during the Great Famine Voices Roadshow and hearing their family stories about how their ancestors came from Ireland to start new lives in the United States,” declared Christine Kinealy, Director of Ireland’s Great Hunger Institute at Quinnipiac University, Connecticut. “We hope that people of Irish heritage in Canada will come to the Roadshow to share their family memories,” added Professor Mark McGowan from the University of Toronto.

“This Roadshow will provide a unique opportunity for Irish-Americans and Irish-Canadians to share their stories, strengthen their sense of ancestry, and historical and current Irish connections. All are welcome to these events”, said Caroilin Callery, a Director of the National Famine Museum in Strokestown Park, Ireland. “Over the past few years, we have been in search of stories from ‘the next Parish’ in North America, where so many of those who survived the Great Hunger – the biggest catastrophe of 19th century Europe – made new lives. We need to hear these stories,” she continued.

A selection of these family memories and stories will be made freely available on the Great Famine Voices online archive. www.greatfaminevoices.ie

The Great Famine Voices Roadshow in the USA and Canada will be hosted by the National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park, Ireland, and the Irish Heritage Trust, an independent charity. The Roadshow will be held in partnership with Ireland’s Great Hunger Institute at Quinnipiac University, the American Irish Historical Society, and the University of Toronto. It is funded by the Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme.

DETAILS OF ROADSHOW VENUES – All Welcome to these Free Open House Events.

April 9th: American Irish Historical Society, 991 Fifth Avenue, New York (launch)

Friday May 25th Ann-Marie and Peter are very pleased to announce that LATOQC will be doing a house concert Bloor and Ossington area. Doors open at 7:30, concert starts at 8p.m

Cost $20.00 Seating is limited so please cntact us by email pejell@gmail.com or phone (416) 537-8038 to reserve your space.

If you like traditional fiddle music from Louisiana and Quebec then LATOQC is just the ticket.

"Veteran fiddlers David Greely (Louisiana) and Claude Méthé (Québec) invite you to connect the dots between their two vibrant traditions. For a quarter of a century, these two award-winning “porteurs de tradition” have made their mark as players and cultural ambassadors on both sides of the border. Accompanied by guitarist-singer-foot-percussionist Dana Whittle, they offer up songs and music that illustrate the respective differences and similarities of their dual French/North American roots. Don’t miss this chance to discover the magic of these living traditions in real-time."

Saturday May 26th WORKSHOPS with members of LATOQC David: Cajun Fiddle

Claude: Quebecois Fiddle, Dana: Quebecois songs and Accompaniment

Space will be limited to 15 participants for each workshop and the cost will be $20. Location and exact time coming soon.Email (pejella@gmail.com) or phone (416) 537-8038 to reserve

For more than a century the Ancient Order of Hibernians have hosted the Irish Community of Montreal on the last Sunday in May as they dedicate the Annual Walk to the Stone to those 6,000+ Irish souls buried at the Black Rock.

St. Gabriel's Church, 2157 Centre Street, Montreal, Quebec
Mass: 10:30 AM Walk begins at 12:00 (Noon)
Food, Drink and Live Traditional Irish Music at the Church Hall Please join us - all are welcome

Saturday June 2 - Rose of Tralee Selection Ball at King’s Garden Banquet Centre near Islington and the Queensway in Toronto The reception prior to the dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. dress is semi-formal. Tickets are $90.00 each (All Inclusive) until Friday May 18 – tables of 10 are available for $850. After May 18 it is $900 for a table of 10.

The Toronto Rose is a great opportunity for young women in Toronto and the surrounding areas to get involved in their community, make long-lasting friendships and

have the opportunity to represent Toronto at The Rose of Tralee International Festival in August in County Kerry, Ireland.

If you would like to advertise in the booklet, sponsor a representative or donate a raffle prize, or want more information about the event contact either